The trust behind the Auckland Rescue Helicopter is taking the Auckland Council to court next month to challenge a 60 percent cut in funding.
Over the past two years the service's funding has dropped from $1.2 million a year to $450,000.
Council-funded body Regional Amenities Funding Board says it made the decision because the trust had $13 million sitting in reserves.
It says the service also makes a lot of money from sponsors and donations.
But the trust says the $13 million is set aside to replace one of its ageing helicopters next year.
It says as a result of last year's funding drop, its second helicopter only ran 12 hours a day over summer instead of full-time.
The case will be heard in the High Court in Auckland next month.
